A simple guide to finding the best formation for your squad.
Evaluate your entire squad
Remove dead wood
Divide the squad into 4 groups
Identify the best player(s) in each group
Build a formation around your best players
It can sometimes be a little tricky to get the most out of your squad but the best way to go about it is to find a suitable formation for the players you're working with rather than forcing your players to play in a specific formation that you're comfortable with or that has worked for you in the past. That's risky if you don't know the squad well enough. What works for one team may not work for another so I recommend following these 5 steps to a successful formation.
Here's a simple example of how you should start with your newly inherited squad. I have chosen the relatively unknown Dutch side NAC Breda for this example.
Evaluate Your Squad
A large squad of 34 players. Look at every players' profile page and get a general feel of the quality of the squad you're working with. You have probably picked out a few stand out players already but it's equally important to get to know the 'standard' level of your players and what it's going to take to make the squad, and more importantly the starting 11.
Remove Dead Wood
34 is too big a squad and it's imminent that not everyone is good enough to stay on at the club. If you're not entirely sure who is and who isn't good enough to stay on then I suggest not removing anyone yet. But if you do see players that are significantly below the standard that you've set after the innitial evaluation, think sea of brown / red attributes or very old players, then you should demote these players (and deal with them on a later stage, sell, loan out perhaps or release) so you are left with a much tidier squad of decent to good quality players.
Divide The Squad Into 4 Groups
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
We know a lot more about the squad already. We are a little short in defenders and forwards with perhaps 'too many' midfielders. We need to bear in mind tho that we need not only a starting eleven but also a handful of good substitutes to provide necessary cover. Your first thoughts may go out to a formation packed with midfielders but first we need to pick out our best players and build a team (and formation) around them.
Identify The Best Player(s)
It's important to remember some of the key (primary) attributes for each group. Use the secondary attributes to compare same-level players and/or to pinpoint player roles.
Forwards - Shooting, Decisions, Movement, Aerial, Strength, Dribbling, Pace
Compare these attributes of the players in each group and identify the best ones. Once you have your selected group of players place them in possible formations as seen below.
Once you have identified your strongest players in each group you have a variety of possibilities. In this case I was unfortunate to have 3 natural AMLs of which 2 do well (accomplished) in AMR and ST. I created a shortlist of 4 formations and renamed them: a basic att 4-4-2 and three 3-5-2 formations, one with an AMC, one with a DM and one with just three CMs.
Build Your Formation
Keep the above possibilites in mind and look at the rest of your squad. Are there enough DMs? AMCs? Full backs? CMs? Simply complete any of your formations with the 'better' players you're left with (remember the key attributes) and you've found a suitable formation + a few very good alternatives for your squad. It's always good to have a Plan B and C in case things don't work out, but this is a very good start to the career. Also, remember that players on loan will eventually return to their clubs. You may want to favor a slightly weaker player over one that's on loan at your club. The weaker player will improve during the season and be at the same level of the loanee who will eventually leave at the end of the loan spell / season, so it's important to keep that in mind for the future.
In the example I opted for a 4-4-2 att since we had very decent FBs in the squad. I chose 3-5-2 with AMC as a good alternative because the lack of defenders and the plentiful options in midfield and AMC positions. If you have a transfer budget to work with you could select one of the other two formations as well.
Best Formation: 4-4-2 att / Alternative Formation: 3-5-2 with AMC
Final Squad: Starting 11 + Substitutes
At this point you have found your starting squad, your best starters, your subs and the most suitable formation(s) for your team.
I hope I have helped some of you with this simple guide of how to find the best formation(s) for your squad. Feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
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A simple guide to finding the best formation for your squad.
It can sometimes be a little tricky to get the most out of your squad but the best way to go about it is to find a suitable formation for the players you're working with rather than forcing your players to play in a specific formation that you're comfortable with or that has worked for you in the past. That's risky if you don't know the squad well enough. What works for one team may not work for another so I recommend following these 5 steps to a successful formation.
Here's a simple example of how you should start with your newly inherited squad. I have chosen the relatively unknown Dutch side NAC Breda for this example.
Evaluate Your Squad
A large squad of 34 players. Look at every players' profile page and get a general feel of the quality of the squad you're working with. You have probably picked out a few stand out players already but it's equally important to get to know the 'standard' level of your players and what it's going to take to make the squad, and more importantly the starting 11.
Remove Dead Wood
34 is too big a squad and it's imminent that not everyone is good enough to stay on at the club. If you're not entirely sure who is and who isn't good enough to stay on then I suggest not removing anyone yet. But if you do see players that are significantly below the standard that you've set after the innitial evaluation, think sea of brown / red attributes or very old players, then you should demote these players (and deal with them on a later stage, sell, loan out perhaps or release) so you are left with a much tidier squad of decent to good quality players.
Divide The Squad Into 4 Groups
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
We know a lot more about the squad already. We are a little short in defenders and forwards with perhaps 'too many' midfielders. We need to bear in mind tho that we need not only a starting eleven but also a handful of good substitutes to provide necessary cover. Your first thoughts may go out to a formation packed with midfielders but first we need to pick out our best players and build a team (and formation) around them.
Identify The Best Player(s)
It's important to remember some of the key (primary) attributes for each group. Use the secondary attributes to compare same-level players and/or to pinpoint player roles.
Goalkeepers - Aerial, Agility, Handling, Reflexes, Decisions, Communication, Kicking
Defenders - Aerial, Tackling, Decisions, Positioning, Strength, Stamina, Dribbling
Midfielders - Passing, Decisions, Teamwork, Tackling, Aggression, Stamina, Creativity
Forwards - Shooting, Decisions, Movement, Aerial, Strength, Dribbling, Pace
Compare these attributes of the players in each group and identify the best ones. Once you have your selected group of players place them in possible formations as seen below.
Once you have identified your strongest players in each group you have a variety of possibilities. In this case I was unfortunate to have 3 natural AMLs of which 2 do well (accomplished) in AMR and ST. I created a shortlist of 4 formations and renamed them: a basic att 4-4-2 and three 3-5-2 formations, one with an AMC, one with a DM and one with just three CMs.
Build Your Formation
Keep the above possibilites in mind and look at the rest of your squad. Are there enough DMs? AMCs? Full backs? CMs? Simply complete any of your formations with the 'better' players you're left with (remember the key attributes) and you've found a suitable formation + a few very good alternatives for your squad. It's always good to have a Plan B and C in case things don't work out, but this is a very good start to the career. Also, remember that players on loan will eventually return to their clubs. You may want to favor a slightly weaker player over one that's on loan at your club. The weaker player will improve during the season and be at the same level of the loanee who will eventually leave at the end of the loan spell / season, so it's important to keep that in mind for the future.
In the example I opted for a 4-4-2 att since we had very decent FBs in the squad. I chose 3-5-2 with AMC as a good alternative because the lack of defenders and the plentiful options in midfield and AMC positions. If you have a transfer budget to work with you could select one of the other two formations as well.
Best Formation: 4-4-2 att / Alternative Formation: 3-5-2 with AMC
Final Squad: Starting 11 + Substitutes
At this point you have found your starting squad, your best starters, your subs and the most suitable formation(s) for your team.
I hope I have helped some of you with this simple guide of how to find the best formation(s) for your squad. Feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
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